The MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator exam validates skills for managing Microsoft 365 tenants, identity, security, and compliance. Microsoft’s current exam objectives cover tenant management, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Defender XDR, and Microsoft Purview.
Important: Microsoft currently lists MS-102 for retirement on October 31, 2026.
What Is the MS-102 Exam?
MS-102 is designed for Microsoft 365 administrators who manage cloud and hybrid environments. Candidates should have experience with Microsoft 365 workloads and Microsoft Entra ID, plus working knowledge of networking, DNS, Active Directory Domain Services, and PowerShell.
The current passing score is 700.
MS-102 Exam Topics
Deploy and Manage a Microsoft 365 Tenant
Focus on:
- Tenant configuration
- Domains
- Users and groups
- Licenses
- Administrative roles
- Service Health
- Microsoft 365 Backup
- PowerShell
Current weight: 10–15%.
Implement Microsoft Entra Identity and Access
Study:
- Microsoft Entra ID
- Identity synchronization
- Microsoft Entra Connect
- Cloud Sync
- Authentication methods
- SSPR
- Conditional Access
- MFA
- Identity Protection
Current weight: 25–30%.
Manage Security with Microsoft Defender XDR
Important areas include:
- Microsoft Defender XDR
- Security alerts
- Secure Score
- Advanced hunting
- Defender for Office 365
- Defender for Endpoint
- Defender Vulnerability Management
- Defender for Cloud Apps
Current weight: 35–40%.
Manage Compliance with Microsoft Purview
Focus on:
- Sensitive information types
- Retention labels
- Sensitivity labels
- Data Loss Prevention
- Endpoint DLP
- Content Explorer
- Activity Explorer
- Compliance policies
Current weight: 15–20%.
How to Prepare for MS-102
1. Practice Microsoft 365 Administration
Work with users, groups, licenses, roles, domains, tenant settings, and service health.
2. Master Microsoft Entra ID
Focus on synchronization, authentication, Conditional Access, MFA, and Identity Protection.
3. Study Defender XDR
Spend extra time on Defender XDR because it currently has the highest exam weighting.
4. Learn Microsoft Purview
Understand DLP, retention, sensitivity labels, and information protection.
5. Practice PowerShell
Review Microsoft Graph PowerShell and Microsoft Entra PowerShell for administrative tasks.
6. Use Scenario-Based Questions
Practice selecting the most appropriate Microsoft 365 security, identity, or compliance solution for each requirement.
MS-102 Exam Questions and Answers
Q.1 Which service manages identity and access in Microsoft 365?
A. Microsoft Entra ID
B. Microsoft Purview
C. Microsoft Defender XDR
D. SharePoint
Answer: A. Microsoft Entra ID
Q.2 Which feature can require MFA based on specific access conditions?
A. Conditional Access
B. Microsoft Purview
C. Defender for Endpoint
D. Microsoft 365 Backup
Answer: A. Conditional Access
Q.3 Which Microsoft service provides integrated threat detection and response?
A. Microsoft Defender XDR
B. Microsoft Forms
C. SharePoint
D. OneDrive
Answer: A. Microsoft Defender XDR
Q.4 Which Microsoft Purview feature helps prevent sensitive information from being shared improperly?
A. Data Loss Prevention
B. Service Health
C. Cloud Sync
D. Advanced Hunting
Answer: A. Data Loss Prevention
Q.5 What is the current passing score for MS-102?
A. 600
B. 650
C. 700
D. 800
Answer: C. 700
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MS-102?
MS-102 is the Microsoft 365 Administrator exam and forms part of the requirements for Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert.
What should I study first?
Start with Microsoft 365 tenant management, Microsoft Entra ID, Defender XDR, and Microsoft Purview.
Which topic has the highest weight?
Microsoft Defender XDR currently carries 35–40% of the exam.
Is MS-102 still available?
Yes. However, Microsoft currently lists October 31, 2026 as the retirement date.
Is hands-on practice important?
Yes. Microsoft recommends training and hands-on experience before taking the exam.
Final Thoughts
MS-102 preparation should focus on Microsoft 365 administration, Entra identity and access, Defender XDR, and Purview compliance.
For the best preparation, combine Microsoft Learn resources with hands-on labs and scenario-based practice questions.
Start your MS-102 practice test today.
Written By:Sudheer Kumar
Published on: 21/08/2026
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